The University of Akron Athletics
Final Preparations Underway for Home Opener
September 21 | Football
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron is making
final preparations for Saturday's home football opener against the
University of North Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (EDT) at
the Rubber Bowl.
The team has one practice remaining (today) and then a
walk-through Friday.
The Zips (1-2) opened the season with a 34-16 loss to No. 19 Penn
State before posting one of the biggest wins in program history, a
20-17 triumph over NC State on Sept. 9. That marked the program's
first win over a school currently from a BCS Conference, since the
alignment came into play prior to the 1998 season.
Akron fell to Central Michigan, 21-20 last weekend in the
Mid-American Conference opening contest for both teams, but looks
to win its second-straight home opener after downing Northern
Illinois, 42-48 in overtime on Sept. 24, 2005.
Senior QB Luke Getsy (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley/Pittsburgh) threw
for 375 yards in last week's loss to the Chippewas and had a
school-record five TD passes in the 2005 opener.
"It's great to finally get to play one at home," third-year head
coach J.D. Brookhart said. "I know the players are excited.
Hopefully we have a great one (crowd) out there because we have a
quality opponent coming in."
North Texas, members of the Sun Belt Conference, are also 1-2 on
the season, but returns 17 starters from a year ago and has earned
bowl berths in four of the last five seasons. The Mean Green
features junior running back Jamario Thomas, who was hampered by
injuries last season, but led the nation in rushing (189.9 yards
per game) in 2004 as a true freshman.
While the football team is prepping on the field, the department
of athletics is getting the Rubber Bowl ready for its first
collegiate action since the Zips' 35-3 win over Kent State on Nov.
24, 2005, which clinched the MAC East Division title and sent Akron
to its first-ever league championship game.
Zips Fest, the football gameday experience located adjacent to the
main entrance of the Rubber Bowl, opens to the public at 4:30 p.m.
and features plenty of action for the whole family. There will be
inflatables, face painting, uniform try-on stations and an
appearance by Zippy, as well as food and beverages, including the
Coors Light Beer Garden.
The game will not be televised but those outside the area can
watch via on-line streaming on GoZips.com, the official athletics
Web site of the University, GoZips.com. The game will be offered as
part of the Zips Zone package, which offers live video and audio
coverage throughout the year.
Season and single-game tickets are still available by calling the UA Athletics Ticket office at 1-888-99-AKRON or by clicking here.
